Dr. Forster is also a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association an honor which is awarded by the APA to “outstanding psychiatrists who have made significant contributions to the psychiatric profession in at least five of the following areas: administration, teaching, scientific and scholarly publications, volunteering in mental health and medical activities of social significance, community involvement, as well as for clinical excellence. Distinguished Fellow is the highest membership honor the APA bestows upon members.”

The Pleasanton office is convenient for people living in Walnut Creek, Livermore, Dublin, San Ramon, Dublin and Hayward. There is ample parking and the office is a little under a mile away from the Dublin / Pleasanton BART station.

Two clinicians affiliated with Gateway Psychiatric work in the office –

Dr. Peter Forster, MD, the Clinical Director of the clinic. Dr. Forster specializes in the treatment of people with bipolar disorder and depression. He also provides treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders.

Dr. Vandana Aspen, PhD, a psychologist with expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Dr. Aspen works with families and adolescents as well as adults.

I believe that too many people who are wrestling with depression, or bipolar, or other mood disorders, find themselves confused by what they need to do in order to feel well, or they get stuck with less than adequate treatment, or they feel ashamed, or embarrassed about the very real problems they are dealing with.

My practice is focused on making sure that people get well (not just a little bit better) and providing the very best, evidence-based, care for depression and bipolar. As a Pleasanton psychiatrist it has been my privilege to work with many people to help them achieve their goal of a rich and rewarding life.

You may want to look through some of the other pages on this site to get a sense of my practice, the people I work with, and my philosophy of care.

But be sure to fill in your contact information. A website is not likely to be a substitute for a conversation.